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Magnific AI vs Upscayl

Two fact sheets from our own research, side by side — pricing, platforms, API access and status re-checked by us rather than quoted from the vendors.

The short answer

Cheaper paid plan
Upscayl — $9.99/mo vs $14.50/mo for Magnific AI
Free plan
Both have one
Public API
Magnific AI has one; not confirmed by us for Upscayl
Higher Trust score
Magnific AI — 92 vs 80 for Upscayl
Best fit
Magnific AI: Retouchers enlarging product, architectural or portrait work where invented detail is acceptable · Upscayl: Photographers and artists upscaling images privately on their own hardware

From our own records as of each tool's last check. Anything we have not confirmed is left out rather than guessed. How we verify

Magnific AIDetail-inventing upscaler that became Freepik's entire AI platformUpscaylFree open-source desktop app that upscales images locally with AI models, plus a paid cloud version for larger images.

Side by side

FactMagnific AIUpscayl
CategoryImage Upscaling & RestorationImage Upscaling & Restoration
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starts at$14.50/mo$9.99/mo
Public APIYesNot confirmed
Trust score92 / 10080 / 100
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
CompanyFreepik Company S.L.U.Upscayl
Launched20242022
Last verifiedOct 28, 2026Oct 29, 2026

What our research says

Magnific AI

The upscaler is still the best in its class at inventing plausible detail, but you can no longer buy just the upscaler — since April 2026 the purchase is Freepik's entire creative suite wearing Magnific's name, on one shared credit meter.

Pros

  • Detail synthesis genuinely outperforms conventional upscalers on textured subjects
  • API access with credit-based usage is included on every paid plan
  • Plan credits sit in an annual pool rather than expiring monthly
  • One subscription now covers image, video, audio, 3D and a 250M-asset stock library

Cons

  • Freepik's rebrand means every existing review and listing describes a different product
  • Prices are served in local currency, so the USD figures need confirming per region
  • Month-to-month costs 25% more than the headline annual rate
  • The shared credit balance means video experiments quietly eat your upscaling budget

Upscayl

Upscayl is the obvious first stop for anyone with a decent GPU who wants free, private image upscaling on their own machine. People without a capable graphics card, or who need face restoration and very large outputs, will lean on the paid cloud version or a dedicated retouching tool.

Pros

  • Desktop app is free, open source and works offline
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Batch and double upscaling, several models
  • Cloud credits roll over while subscribed

Cons

  • Desktop performance depends on your GPU
  • Generative detail and face tools are cloud-only and paid
  • No public API

Which one fits

Choose Magnific AI if you need

  • Retouchers enlarging product, architectural or portrait work where invented detail is acceptable
  • Studios that also want image, video and stock in one subscription
  • Anyone upscaling AI-generated art to print resolution

Choose Upscayl if you need

  • Photographers and artists upscaling images privately on their own hardware
  • Designers preparing small images for print
  • Users who want batch upscaling without a subscription

Magnific AI vs Upscayl: the questions people ask

Is Magnific AI cheaper than Upscayl?

On published entry prices, Upscayl starts lower — $9.99/mo against $14.50/mo for Magnific AI. Entry price is the lowest paid plan as we last verified it; what each plan includes differs.

Does Magnific AI or Upscayl have a free tier?

Both: Magnific AI has a free tier, and Upscayl has a free tier.

Which has a public API, Magnific AI or Upscayl?

Magnific AI ships a public API, as of our last verification. A public API for Upscayl is not confirmed by us — check its developer docs before you plan an integration.

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